Indigenes In America Raise Funds To Rebuild Plateau Communities

A diaspora group, Plateau State Association, USA, Inc. (PSA-USA) has launched a campaign fund to support the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced communities in 17 local government areas and 64 wards.

The PSA-USA announced during its 20th anniversary convention and award night in Lanham, Maryland, the United States of America.

At the end of the two-day celebration, titled: “Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” the group launched an “R64 Diaspora Campaign Fund” aimed at alleviating the plight of the state’s displaced people.

The national president of PSA-USA, Dr Bartholomew Shepkong, who made the statement available on Wednesday in Abuja to LEADERSHIP, described the campaign as “a bold humanitarian initiative.”

“The initiative, which seeks to provide infrastructure, relief, and long-term recovery, is warmly received as a testament to the diaspora’s commitment to the homeland,” he said.

Shepkong highlighted PSA-USA’s educational achievements, cultural preservation, humanitarian relief and advocacy.

“If the past twenty years were about survival and consolidation, the next twenty must be about transformation and impact. This association is not a spectator in the story of Plateau — it is a protagonist.

“The next 20 years will be written by our choice to stand together and place Plateau above self,” he said.

He reflected on the association’s 20-year journey, honouring founders, past presidents and departed members.

The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in his keynote address titled: “Poverty Alleviation: A Pathway to Peaceful Co-existence,” described poverty as a “hydra-headed monster.”

Yilwatda, represented by Dr Patrick Dakum, said poverty “drives insurgency, kidnappings and insecurity with 63 per cent of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty.”

He stressed that only 30 per cent of security depends on military action, while 70 per cent depends on education, skills and good governance.

The speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Naanlong Daniel, urged stronger collaboration between legislators and the diaspora to advance people-centered laws and strengthen Plateau’s democratic foundations.

HRH Miskoom Martin Shaldas III, the royal father of the day, praised the association’s resilience and called on the members to sustain their contributions.